Bolivia was once part of the Inca empire, and even though the nation was later ruled by Spain, today much of the population retains old Indian styles of clothing, music and festivals, speaking both Spanish and either Quecha, an Incan language, or Aymará, which is even older. The land climbs from low-lying equatorial rainforests in the east to nearly Arctic-cold mountains in the west, where the majority of Bolivians live.
From the sprawling capital city of La Paz, which at 3650m above sea level is the highest capital city in the world, to the ‘world’s most dangerous road’, the Yungas Road, to the 6500 square kilometres of salt flats known as the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia is certainly not for the fainthearted – but you will find the people kind, relaxed and welcoming, with a strong sense of family.